Cummins has announced it will bring to market a 15-liter natural gas engine for heavy-duty trucks.

The 15-liter engine will offer ratings up to 500 hp and 1,850 ft-lbs of torque. It is expected to weigh 500 lbs. less than comparable 15-liter diesel engines currently available on the market, while not requiring selective catalytic reduction to meet 2024 California or Environmental Protection Agency emission standards, Cummins officials said in a press release.

The 15-liter natural gas engine can be paired with the Eaton Cummins Endurant HD Transmission and Cummins fuel delivery system, ensuring a fully integrated natural gas powertrain.

Other transmission pairings will be available at launch for specialized applications, Cummins officials said.

When powered with renewable natural gas, using methane collected from organic waste as the primary fuel source, the system can be credited with a neutral to negative carbon index, resulting in net greenhouse gas emissions at or below zero.

The Bigger Picture

The 15-liter natural gas engine is an important part of Cummins strategy for its path to zero emissions.  The expanding product lineup will help achieve Cummins’ environmental goals which include lowering emissions from newly sold products by 30% by 2030 and a goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, aligned with the Paris Climate Accord targets.

“We believe this natural gas option is a game changer as a cost-competitive power option to existing diesel powertrains in heavy-duty trucking, making it a great complement to reduce CO2 emissions,” said Srikanth Padmanabhan, Cummins’ engine business president, in a press release.

The launch of the universal 15-liter platform for heavy-duty ensures a full range of natural gas powertrains that are available to meet the emission reduction goals of customers and end markets, Cummins officials said.

The engine is also the basis for Cummins’ recently announced hydrogen internal combustion engine, which is currently being tested.